Saltwater Fly Fishing

By Bob Ives

Mangrove Jack

Mangrove Jack are usually normally caught in warmer waters between May and December from the north coast to Exmouth in the west all the way around Coffs Harbour on the east coast. Typical weights caught by fly fishermen 1 to 3kg, though they grow much larger, especially around offshore reefs. They like to hang out around mangroves, snags and reefs. These, too, are hard hitters, and they will hit on the run giving a fisherman little time to respond. Look for them off the NT in mangroves and reefs, Western Australia and Queensland most all year long.

Permit

The Permit is found from Exmouth on the west coast to Hervey Bay on the east coast in Northern Australian waters between August and December. They like offshore, inshore and river estuaries flats in tropical waters. Fly fishermen typically catch them at weights of 1 to 8kg, but they get over twice that big. Low tides are the best conditions to hook one of these strange looking fish, and fishing for them requires good sight fishing skills. Look for them around Hinchinbrook Island in North Queensland and the eastern shore of the Gulf of Carpentaria in Queensland.

Tarpon

Tarpon, also call Herring, are most likely to be found in warmer waters of Shark Bay on the west coast to northern NSW on the east coast hanging out deep holes in the mouths of rivers, estuaries, mangrove creeks, estuaries and occasionally on beaches and flats. They are caught on flies in the range of 1.5 to 3.5kg. Tarpon are loved by fly fishermen for the great show and fight they put on. The best spot for them in Australia is the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Black Marlin

This beautiful saltwater game fish can be found in oceans worldwide. They require heavy fly fishing tackle and like deep tropical and subtropical waters. In Australia, you can book charters for marlin fly fishing that will take you out into the offshore waters of the east coast off Cairnes, North Queensland, Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, etc. Catching them on regular saltwater tackle is hard enough; you will definitely have you hands full with fly tackle. Catching one of these would be an adventure you would never forget.

So, as they say, so many saltwater fly fishing species, so little time. The good thing about a lot of these fish is that you may well have the opportunity to catch several of the species on just a single trip. Good luck and keep your chin up and your fly rod tip down.